Combination printing ahd registering apparatus eos



Feb. 14, 1928.

J. A. MITCHELL ET AL COMBINATION PRINTING AND REGISTERING APPARATUS FOR MAILING MACHINES Filed April 25, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet l III II (ll umm lg pmm W/// ///h77m INVENTORS \JQHN A. Mrrcucu. LAWRENCE \J- ZAHN BY ATTORNEY 1 Feb. 14, 1928. J. A. MITCHELL ET AL COMBINATION PRINTING AND REGISTERING APPARATUS FOR MAILI G MACHINES Filed April 25. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS dorm A. Mrrcnsu. LAWRENCE J. Znmv ATTORNEY Feb. 14, 1928. 1,659,213

J. A. MITCHELL ET AL COMBINATION PRINTING AND REGISTERING KPPARATUS FOR MAILING MACHINES Filed April 25. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 Eg.5 Y N 4 5 ."l i A Will/1} IIIIIIII' lNVENTOR Is? 5 douu'A. MITCNZELL a "w LAWRENCE J. mm lMIIIIIIIIHIII%LJ%,llll

ATTORNEY Feb. 14, 1928. 1,659,213

J. A. MITCHELL ET AL COMBINATION PRINTING AND REGISTERING APPARATUS FOR MAILING MACHINES Filed April 25, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1NVENTOR$ J A. Mrrcw LAWRENCE alarm BY ATTORN EY Patented Feb. 14, 1928.

UNITED, STATES PATENT ore-1c.

JOHN A. MITCHELL, OF NEW'AR K, NEW JERSEY, AND LAWRENCE ZAI-IN, 0]? LONG ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO INTERNATIONAL POSTAL SUPPLY COM- PANY, OF BROOKLYN NEW YORK.

COMBINATION PRINTING Ann REGISTERING APPARATUS non MAILING iviaonrnns.

Application filed April 25, 1925. Serial No. 25,742.

This invention relates to a combination apparatus for use in connection with post marking and mailing machines which automati ally separate the mail matter, and after sealing it, in some cases, delivers the mail matter adjac'ent a printing die which places the usual post oilice mark on the piece of mail. Such a combination machine is shown and described in our application Serial No. 738,37 3 filed November 7 192%, in which machine is disclosed a special form of printing and registering mechanism that is further described in our application Serial No. 749,961 filed November 14, 1924.

It is the principal object of our present invention to provide an improved form of a combination printing, or post marking device, and a meter or registering apparatus by combining them in one unitary structure.

Another object of our invention is to provide a unitary structure for the registering apparatus. per se, which is adapted to be enclosed within a separate housing carrying the printing or post marking devices.

Another object of our invention is to provide a new and novel form of mechanism for actuating the registering mechanism from the printing mechanism.

A still further object of our invention is to provide automatic means for locking the registering mechanism, as well as the printing mechanism after the number of pieces of mail. corresponding to the setting of the registering mechanism, have passed the printing die. it being understoodthat a user of the machine purchases a given amount of postage and his meter is set by the postal authorities for the amount purchased.

Another object of our invention is to provide an apparatus of the class described which is relatively simple so that it can be easily manufactured and yetone that is sub stantial and will stand hard usage.

Another object of our invention is to'provide aregistering mechanism to which the postal authorities may have easy access, yet one that is substantially proof against tampering. I

Astill further object oi our invention is to provide simple arrangement for indicating conditions of the meter which may be observed at a glance.

These and other objects will be apparent to one skilled in this art after a study of the specification taken in connection with the annexed drawings in which, Figure 1 isa plan view of the combined instrument with the top of the main and auxiliary housings or casings broken away, and theindicator plate and operatinginember therefor, removed Figure 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1 with the sidewall of the register or meter housing broken away. as Well as a portion of the side of the auxiliary housing. t

Figure 3 is a partial view of theoutside portion of the auxiliary housing which encloses the registering devices, showing one of the lever arms for controlling the locking plunger. i

Figure 4 is aplan view of showing also the spindle carryingthe lower numeral wheels or counters as well as means for resetting the numeralor counter wheels.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the numeral wheels and the spindle on "which the wheels are mounted showing also the control or locking key, the. locking position being shown in dotted lines. '7

Figure 6 is a view of one of the numeral wheelswith the locking key in non locking position. i i

Figure 7-is a view similar to Fig.6 except. the key is inlocking position. 7 i

Figure 8 is a longitudinal view of the spindle and key shown infFigmfi.

'Figure .9 is a perspective view of one of the. numeral wheels.

Figure 10'is a part sectional view on the line 101O of Fig.1.

counters.

ew of the register Figure 13 is a perspective view of the die end (it the unitary register structure showing the condition indicator and operating parts therefor, aswell as the oil reservoir for lubricating the registering mechanism.

Figure let is a partial top iew otthe auxiliary or meter housing. 7 Figure 1.5 15 a partial sine view of Fig. 14.

Figure 16 is a view of the rocker arm showing its connection tothe operating gear;

be described in detail.

In the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to corresponding parts in the various views, 1 is a main housing within which is mounted an auxiliary casing 2 that encloses and carries the registering mechanism which will be later referred to. On the outer end of the housing 1 is mounted a printing die structure 3. Since the method of mounting the printing die is substantially the same as that shown and described in our application Serial No. 749,961 filed November 14, 1924, these details will not be referred to specifically herein, except, to say that on the end of the shaft 4 of the printing die is a coupling member 5 for attaching the complete apparatus to a driving member on the mailing machine. The shaft 4 carries a gear 6 that is adapted to mesh with a gear 7 operatively mounted on an arm 8 projecting from the auxiliary or registering casing 2. The spindle 4 is supported at one end by a bearing 9, and at the other end in an arm 13 projecting from the top of the housing 1. Associated with the printing die 3 is a trip lever 11 constituting one element of a complete tripping device disclosed in Jahn Patent 856,345 issued June 11, 1907; consequently, this complete tripping mechanism will not be further described herein, only to mention that as the mail matter passes through the machine it engages the trip lever 11 which in turn controls the actuation of the printing die 3 through the clutch members associated therewith, all as described in our application Serial No. 749,961 previously re ferred to.

Mounted within the auxiliary casing 2, are two sets of registers or numeral counters 12 and 44. The top set 01 numeral wheels 12 constitute a register for adding all of the pieces of mail matter that pass by the trip lever 11; this registeris of the old and well known Reinhardt type, and will not Thelower set of counters 13 are specially constructed in their interior portion. 'lhesecounters, five being shown. are mounted on a bearing spindle 14 carried in the side *alls oi the auxiliary casing 2. The spindle 14 has a tapered keyway longitudinally of its length, and within this tapered key-way is mounted a tapered key 15 having its ends 16 and 17 projecting a short distance beyond the outcrwall oi the casing 2. Each of the numeral wheels 3 is provided with a key-way 18 adapted to receive the key 15 in a manner to be pointed out. As shown in Fig. 5, a spacing member 19 is used to fill in the space that would be occupied provided another numeral wheel 13 were used. The numeral wheels in the register 12 are operated by a finger plate 20, and those in the register 44 are operated by a linger plate 21. The fingers 22 and 23 re 'pectively, on the finger plates or control members and 21, being adapted to engage the projections 24 on the numeral wheels 13 as the members 20 and 21 are operated. The member 20 is operated through the linlr 25 that is attached to the member 20 in any satisfactory manner as by means of a pin 26 shown particularly in Fig. 5. The member 21 is connected by a member or link 27 with a roclzcr arm 23 pivoted to the side walls of the auxiliary casing 2 by a pin 29. The lower end of the rocker arm 28 has a slot 30 extending across its lower end, and in this slot is positioned a sliding pivot block 69 carrying a pin 31, eccentrieally positioned in a hole in gear 32 which is in mesh with the gear 7. From this construction just described, it will be seen that as the gear 32 is turned through the medium of the gear 7, the rocker arm 28 is caused to oscillate about the pivot 29, and through the medium of the members 27 and 21, the fingers 23, the proper counter or numeral wheel of the register 44 is operated and through the member 25, and the fingers 22 operate the proper numeral wheels in the register 12. The position of the fingers 22 and 23 when fully operated, are shown in dotted position in Fig. 2. A. very important feature of our improvement resides in the means for locking the lower set of numeral wheels 13, as well as the printing die. This locking mechanism will now be described. Attached to the ends 16 and 17 of the key 15 is a pair of arms 33 and 34 which constitute a lever which is pivoted at to the side of the meter casing 2, the arms 33 and 34 extend toward the die end of the register casing 53 and are there connected through links 36 and 37 with a pin or bar 38 with which is associated a plunger 39, guidingly supported in a bushing 40, carried by the extension or arm 8. The upper end of the bushing 40 is slotted at 41 to receive the pin 38 which is guided by the sides of the slot 41. Fastened to the side of the casing 2 is a spring 42 acting on at least one of the arms 33 of the locking lever tending always to move the same about the pivot 32'. The gear wheel 7 is provided with slots 43 adapted to he engaged by the plunger 39 to prevent further rotation of the gear 7 after the die 3 has made a. predetermined number of revolutions as determined by the register 44. As the mail matter passes through the machine, it is to be understood that the die 3 makes one revolution for each piece of mail mat ter, the die being controlled by the trip lever mechanism 11 as previously stated. For each revolution of the die 3, one of the counters 13 in both registers 44 and 12, are moved one step. When the left hand numeral or counter wheel is brought to zero, as indicated in Fig. 11, the tapered key 13, due to the action of the spring 42 on the lever arm 33, moves the key slightly radially so that the key enters a short distance into the keyand so on until the last numeral wheel to the right is brought to zero when the key will be then in alignment with all of the keyways 18 in the numeral wheels 13 and it will then be moved all the way home or to substantially the point indicated by the clotted line 15 (Fig. 5) thereby locking all of the pay numeral wheels, or counters. This final movement of the key 15 and lever 33 acts, through the links 36 and 37 and the cross pin 38, to move the plunger 39 downward so as to enter one of the slots 48 in the gear 7 thereby locking this gear from rotation as well as the printing die, after which the clutch members in the printing die will begin to slip, it being understood that the driving mechanism of the complete machine on which this mechanism is used, is carried in a gear box and the gears therein are in continuous rotation through the medium of an electric motor so long as the machine is in use. In order to preventthe die from being turned, so as to count back on the registering mechanism at any time, the spindle on which the gear 7 is mounted,

carries a ratchet wheel 16 in cooperation with.

by the pawl 17 will be in engagement with one of the ratchet teeth. In order to give an additional indication of the condition of the meter, an indicator plate 49 is mounted over the top part of the sides 2 of the register casing. The indicator plate 49 is adapted to slide on top of the casing and is normally held against the stops 50 by a spring 51 acting against a bent over portion 56 ol' the member 19, whereby the words In count or some other designation is indicated through a properly covered slot 52 in the top of the register. When the cross pin 88 moves downward, at the time when the lower register 4 1- is locked, in the manner already described, this pin orrod 38 moves away from the cam portions 5301 a double arm lever 54:, mounted on a pivot 55 where by the spring 57 acting on the bent over portion 56 moves the indicator plate 49 so the words Run out or some other suitable designation is indicated through the slot 52. It will be observed that when the rod or pin 38 is in its upper position, it acts on the cam ends 53 to hold the lever arms 54 away from the bent over portions 56 thereby allowing stops 50 as described. The plate 49 has a portion cut out, in order to provide space for an oil reservoir 58 having one or more ductsj59, two being shown, leading therefrom to the various important hearings in the registering mechanism. The reservoir 58 is fastened to the top sides of the :asmg 2 in any satisfactory manner as by screws 60. Lubricant is passed to the reservoir 58 through the medium ot'an oiler 61. The front wall of the register casing is provided with a slide 62 (see Figs. Hand 12), that is positioned over the register 14; an opening in the slide of the register being covered by a glass plate 68. The slide 62 is provided with a suitable lock mechanism 6%, and when the slide is in position, a seal 65 is adapted to be passed throughthe holes in the pins 66 thereby sealing the register.

When it is desired to purchase from the postal authorities, additional permit mailing, the instrument is taken to the post oflice where the postal authorities, through the medium oi? the lock mechanism just described, remore the slide 62 in order to give access to the pay registered. In order to unlock this register, as well as the die mechanism, thelever arms 33 and 3 1 are provided with a cross bar 67 that passes in front and below the register -14 (see Figs. 2 anda.) By applying pressure to the bar 67, the locking lever may be operated to move the key 15 out of the key-ways 18 so that the individual numeral wheels may be set to the proper designation corresponding with the postage purchased. At the same time that the numeral wheels are unlocked, the driving gear 7 is also unlocked, and after the meter has been locked and sealed, in the manner described, it isreadyto be placedback' on to the mail marking machine. For convenience in carrying, the complete device is provided with a handle 68.

It is clearly obvious that numerous changes may be made in the details for carrying our invention into practice, and we therefore do not wish to be unduly limited in the interpretation of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention what we claim is:

1. In a mechanism of the class described, in combination with a rotatable printing die structure having a tripping device operated by a piece of mail matter for controlling the operation of the die, a register comprising at least one series of counters having means for moving said counters andconnecting devices between said die structure and said counters including; a pivoted rocker arm having a lever attached to said counter operating means, a rotatable member having a part eccentrically arranged but operatively associated with said rocker arm and operating means for said rotatable member between it and the die structure.

2. In a mechanism of the class described, in combination with a rotatable printing die structure having a tripping device operated by a piece of mail matter for controlling the operation of the die, a register comprising at least one series of counters having means for moving said counters and connecting dcviccs between said die structure and said counters including; a single rocker arm pivoted at one end and having a transverse slot at the other end, a lever connectii'lg said arm to said counter ODEFtlilllg means, a rotatable member having a pin positioned eccentrical- 1y therein and having one end in a block positioned in said arm slot and operating means for said rotatable member between it and the die structure.

3. In a mechanism of the class described, in combination with a rotatable printing die structure having a tripping device operated by a piece of mail matter tor controlling the operation of the die, a-register comprising at least one series of counters having means for moving said counters and connect inn" devices betwecn said die structure and said counters including; a pivoted rocker arm having a lever attached to said counter o iierating means, a rotatable member having apart eccentrically arranged but operativelv associated with said rocker arm and operating means for said rotatable member between it and the die structure, and means directly associated with the interior peripheries 0t said series of counters when they are brought to zero for locking said operating means interposed between said rotatable member and the die structure.

4:. In a mechanism of the class described, in combination with a rotatable printing die structure having a tripping device operated by a piece ot mail. matter for controlling the operatiouot the d e, a register comprising at least one series of counters having means for moving said counters and connecting devices between said, die structure and said counters including; a single rocker arm pivoted at one end and having a transverse slot at the other end. a lever connecting said arm to said counter operating means, a rotatable men [her having a p n positioned eccentricallv therein and having one end in a block positinned in said arm slot and operating means for said rotatable member betwen it and the die structure, and means having a part acting on the interior peripheries of said series oi counters when they are brought to zero for locking said register and die structure.

5. In a mechanism of the class described, in combination with a rotatable printing die structure having a trimping device operated by a piece of mail matter for controlling the operation of the die, a register comprising at least one series of counters having means for moving said counters and connecting devices between said die structure and said counters including; operating means between said die structure and said. counters and means for locking some part of said operating means, said locking means including; a key adapted to enter key-ways in said counters, a lever attached to said he and means com nccted to said lever for engaging said part to be locked.

6. In a mechanism of the class described, in combination with a rotatable printing dic structure having a tripping device operated by a piece of mail matter tor controlling the operation of the die, a register comprising; at least one series of counters l'iaving means for moving said counters and connecting devices between said die structure and said counters including; operating means between said die structure and said counters and means for locking some part of said operating means, said locking means including; a spindle for said counter having a tapered key-way thcrethrough, a key adapted to fit said key-av and to enter key- *ays in said counters, a lever comprising a pair of arms engaging opposite ends of said key, means cornice-ting" sa d arms for engaging said part to be locked and means for moving said lever arms into locking position when said hey is in alignment with all the counter key- Ways.

7. In a mechanism of the class described, in combination with a rotatable printing die structure lzaving a tripping device operated bv a piece of mail matter for controlling the operation oi": the die, a register comprising at least one series of counters having means for moving said counters and connecting devices between said die structure and said counters including; operating means between said die structure and said counters and means for locking some part of said operating means, said locking means including; a spindle for said counters having a tapered key-way therethrough, a key adapted to fit said key-way and to enter key-ways in said counters, a lever comprising a pair o'l. arms engaging. oppositeends oi said hey, a cross bar connecting the outer ends oi said arms a plunger operated by said bar for engaging the part to be locked and means acting on a part of said lever to move the same and the plunger into locking position when said counters have been moved to zero position.

8. In a mechanism oi the class dos ribcd, in combination with a rotatable printing die structure having a tripping device operated by a piece of mail matter for controlling the operation of the die, a register conmrising at least one series of counters having means for moving said counters and connect mg devices between said die structure and said counters including; operating means be tween said die structure and said counters and means for locking some part of said oplit] crating means, said locking means including; a key adapted to enter key-ways in said counters when they are brought to zero position, a lever attached to said key, means associated with said lever for engaging the part to be locked and means for moving the key and lever into locking position.

9. In a mechanism of the class described, in combination with a rotatable printing die structure having a tripping device operated by a piece of mail matter for controlling the operation of the die, a register comprising at lil'i least one series of counters having means for moving said counters and connecting devices between said die structure and said counters including; operating means between said die structure and said counters and means for locking some part of said operating means, said locking means including; a spindle for said counters having a tapered key-way therethrough, a tapered key adapted to fit said key-ways and tobegin entering the key-ways in said counters successively as the counters are brought to zero, a lever attached to said key for moving the same, means associated with said lever for engaging said part to be locked, and means for actuating the lever;

10. In a mechanism of the class described,

in combination with a rotatable printing the structure having a tripping device operated by a piece of mail matter for controlling the operation of the die, a register comprising at least one series of counters having means for moving said counters and connecting devices between said die structure and said counters including; operating means between said die structure and said counters and means 'tor locking some part of said operating means, said locking means including; a spindle for said counters having a tapered key-way therethrough, a tapered key adapted to fit said key-ways and having at least one end projecting beyond said spindle, a lever attached to said key extension, means associated with saidlever for engaging said part to be locked and means acting on said lever to continuously urge said key into said counter key-ways as the counters are brought to zero.

11. In a mechanism of the class described, in combination with a rotatable printing die structure having a tripping device operated by a piece of mail matter for controlling the operation of the die, a register comprising at least one series of counters having means for moving said counters including a'gear on the die structure, a gear in mesh therewith, a pivoted rocker arm, a gear having means cooperating with said arm to oscillate the same, said last mentioned gear being in mesh with the second mentioned gear, a fin ger plate for moving said counters and a lever connecting said finger plate with said rocker arm and means controlled by a main comes to zero.

her functioning within the interior portion of said counters for looking at least one of said gear wheels when said series ofcounters have been turned to zero as described.

In a mechanism ofthe class described, in (.Oll'lbllltltlO'ilWlllll a rotatable printing die structure having a tripping device operated by a piece ol' mail matter for controlling the operation of the die, a register comprising at least one series of counters having means for moving said counters including a gear on the die structure, a gear in mesh therewith, a pivoted rocker arm, a gear having means cooperating with said arm to ioscillate the same, said last mentioned gear be ing in mesh with the second mentioned o gear, a finger plate for moving said counters and a lever connecting said finger plate with said rocker arm, a plunger 'for engaging a part of said second mentioned gear to prevent the same from rotating, a lever for op crating said plunger, means for actuating. the lever and means cooperating withinte rior surfaces of said counters for controlling the time of actuating said lever and plunger ing the rocker arm from the die structure,

means for locking said actuating means Ineluding; a member positioned within the in terior part of said resettable counters and engageable therewith when said counter 145,111 a mechanism of the class described, a printing the structure having associated therewlth a tripping device operated by a piece of mail matter for controlling the operation of the die,a register comprising a seriesotnormally non-resettin counters for showing the total number oi pieces of mail passing the trip'deviceand a series of resettable counters, devices for operating the two series of counters, a pivoted rocker arm with means connected therefrom to said counter operating devices, means for actuating the rocker arm from the die structure, means for locking said actuating means including; a key movable radially of said resettable counters into engagement therewith as said counters successively come to zero, a lever connected to said key, a locking plunger operated by the lever, and means-for gradually moving the lever to locking posi tion as successive counters some to aeroe 15. In a mechanism of the class described, a printing die structure having associated therewith a tripping device operated by a piece of mail matter for controlling the operation of the die, a register comprising a series of normally non-resetting counters for showing the total number of pieces of mail passing the trip device and a series of resettable counters, devices for operating the two series of. counters, apivoted rocker arm with means connected therefrom to said counter operating devices, means for actuatingthe rocker arm from the die structure, means for locking said actuating means including; a spindle for the second series of counters having a tapered key-way therein, a tapered keywithin said key-way, said second series oteounters having key-ways to receive said lrey when all counter key-ways are in alignment, a lever attached to said key, means acting on the lever to move the key into said counter key-ways as the counters come to zero and means operated by the lever when the last of said counters come to zero for locking said actuating means.

16. In a mechanism of the class described, a printing die structure having associated therewith a tripping device operated by a piece of mail matter for controlling the operation of the die, a register comprising a series of normally non-resetting counters for showing the total number of pieces of mail passing the trip device and a series of resettable counters, devices for operating the two series oficounters, a pivoted rocker arm with means connected therefrom to said counter operating devices, means for actuating the rocker arm from the die structure. means for locking said actuating means including; a spindle for the second series of counters having a tapered lmywa therein, atapered key within said hey-way, said second series of counters having key-ways to re ceive said key when all counter hey-ways are in alignment, a lever having an arm attached to each end of the key, means act-- ing on the lever to move the key radially into said counter key-ways as said counters come to zero. means operated by the lever when the last of said counters comes to zero for locking said actuating means and a bar extending between said lever arms and in front of said resettable counters for releasing the lock and the key from the counters whereby said counters may be reset.

17. In a mechanism of the class described, a casing carrying a printing die having a force transmitting member thereon and a trip control mail operated device, exterior of the casing,a unitary registering mechanisn'i housed within the casing and carrying an operating member adapted to engage said force transmitting member when the register unit is placed in position within the casing, said unitary registering mechanism comprising; a supplemental casing having mounted within, two sets oi counters, one set of which is positioned to be reset at will, an oscillatable rocker arm with connecting means therefrom to each set oi counters whereby the proper counter may be operated one position for each oscillation of the rocker arm, means for moving the rocker arm, said means being in operative engagement with said operating member carried by the supplemental casing, a lever mounted on the exterior of said supplemental casing and having associated means for engaging said operating member to lock the same from further movement and means. cooperating with the lever and engaging the interior part of said resettable set of counters for controlling the locking movement oi said lever.

18. In a mechanism of the class described, a casing carrying a printing die having a. force transmitting member thereon and a trip control mail operated device, exterior of the casing, a unitary registering mechanism housed within the casin and carrying an op erating member adapted toengage said torcc transmitting member when the register unit is placed in position within the casing, said unitary registering mechanism comprising; a supplemental casing having mounted within, two sets of counters, one set of which is positioned to be reset at will, an oscillatable rocker arm with connecting means therefrom to each set of counters whereby the proper counter may be operated one possition for each oscillation of the rocker arm, means for moving the rocker arm, said means being in operative engagement with said operating member carried by the supplemental casing, a lever having two arms extending along the opposite sides of said supplemental casing to one end. thereof. a. cross bar having linlt con nections to said arm ends, a plunger guid ingly supported by said cross bar over said operating member and .nieaus attached to both lever arms and engaging the interior part of said resettable set of counters for controlling the movement oi the levers and the plunger into engagement with said operating member. f i

19. In aniechanism oi the class described, in combination with a rotatable printing dic structure having a. tripping device operated by a piece of mail matter tor controlling the operation of the die, a register 'conu irising at least one series of counters having means for moving said counters and connecting devices between said die structure and said counters for actuating the latter and means associated with the interior of saidcounters for locking them after they have been brought to zero position. g

20. In a mechanism of the class described, in combination with a rotatable printing die structure having a tripping device operated lit) Jun

llu

by a piece of mail matter for controlling the operation of the die, a register comprising at least one seriesot counters having means for moving said counters and connecting devices between said die structure and said counters for actuating the latter and means associated with the interior of said counters for locking them after they have been brought to zero position, and further means controlled by said associated means for locking some one of said connecting devices to prevent further operation of the die.

21. In a mechanism of the class described, in combination with a rotatable printing die structure having a tripping device operated by a piece or mail matter for controlling the operation of the d e, a register comprising at least one series of counters having means for moving said counters and connecting devices between said die structure and said counters for actuating the latter, said counters having a common bearing and key slots adjacent said bearing, a key carried by said bearing and means for moving said lrey into said hey slots as the counters come to zero.

22. In a mechanism of the class described, in combination with a rotatable printing die structure having a tripping device operated by a piece of mail matter for controlling the operation 01' the die. a register comprising at least one series of counters having means for moving said counters and connecting devices between said die structure and said counters for actuating the latter, said counters having a common bearing and key slots adjacent said bearing, a tapered key carried by said bearing, means for moving said key successively into said hey slots as the counters come to zero and means associated with the key for locking some one of said connecting devices to prevent further operation of the die.

23. In a mechanism of the class described, a casing carrying a printing die having a force transmitting member thereon and a trip control mail operated device, exterior of the casing, a unitary registering mechanism housed within the casing and carrying an operating member adapted to engage said force transmitting member when the register unit is placed in. position within the casing, said unitary registering mechanism including a supplemental casing having mounted within least one set of register numerals and op erating devices therefor, said supplemental casing having a slidable cover controlling the showing of indicia indicating the working condition of said set of numerals which indicia are visible through a part of the eX ternal casing and means for operating said slidable cover. v

24. In a mechanism of the class described, a casing carrying a printing die having a force transmitting member thereon and a trip control mail operated device, exterior of the casing, a unitary registering mechanism housed within the, casing, and. carrying an operating member adapted to engage said i orce transmitting member when the register unit is placed in position within the casing,'said unitary registering mechanism including a supplemental casing having mounted within at least one set of register numerals and operating devices therefor, said supplemental casing having a slidublc cover carrying indicia indicating the working condition of said set of numerals which indicia are visible through a part of the external casing and means for operating said slidabl'e cover according to the condition of the register. v

25. In a mechanism of the class described, a casing carrying a printing die having a force transmitting member thereon and a trip control mail operated device, exterior of the casing, a unitary registering mechanism housed within the casing and carrying an operating memberadapted to engage said force transmitting member when the register unit is placed in position with in the casing, said unitary registering mechanism including a supplemental casing having mounted within at least one set of register numerals and operating devices therefor, said supplemental casing carrying a lubricant supply reservoir and ducts leading from the reservoir to parts of the register to be lubricated. i

26. In a mechanism of the class described, a casing carrying a printing die havinga force transmitting member thereon and a trip control mail operated device, exterior of the casing, a unitary registering mechanism housed within the casing and carrying an operating member adapted to engage said force transmitting member when the register unit is placed in position within the casing, said unitary registering mechanism including a supplemental casing hav ing mounted within at least one set of register numerals and operating devices therefor, said supplemental casing having a slidable cover controlling the showing of indicia indicating the working condition of said Set of numerals and means for actuating the cover according to the condition of register, said cover having an opening therein, a lubricant supply reservoir carried between the walls of said casing and positioned within the opening of said cover, means for feeding the lubricant from the reservoir to vari-' ous parts oi the register and means {or passing lubricant through the outer casing to said reservoir.

27. In a mechanism of the class described,

a main casing carrying a printing die structure, a supplemental removable casing housed within the main casing and enclosing at least one register and means carried bythe supplemental casing engageable with a member on the printing die structure when lac the supplemental casing is inserted in the main casing for operating the register, said main casing having a slide in front of said register and operable to give access to the register and its locking mechanism for resetting the same and means for locking said slide in closed position.

28. In a mechanism of the class described, in combination with a rotatable printing die structure having a tripping device 01)- erated by a piece of mail matter for controlling the operation of the die, a register comprising at least one series of counters having means for moving said counters including a driving member on the die structures.

JOHN A. MITCHELL. LAWRENCE J. ZAHN. 

